Despite conceding up to three years on his rivals, 17-year-old Josh Norman won the Leicestershire U20 Cross Country title at the county championships, which were this year held at Brooksby College.

Josh, who lives in Barkestone-le-Vale, had also previously won at Under 13s, Under 15s, and Under 17s level.

The Grantham College student is now looking forward to the Midland Championships to be staged at Mansfield on Saturday, January 24.

*Stilton Striders produced some notable performances at the Leicestershire Cross Country Championships at Brooksby College on Saturday.

In freezing conditions, runners faced an undulating course on hard, frozen ground.

Emma Brown took third place in the under 17s girls' race, while Vicki Lowe put in another solid performance in the four-mile ladies race.

Chris Southam was once again first Strider home in the 5.5-mile men's race, finishing 10th overall to collect the bronze medal as third finisher in the masters' category in 31min 17secs.

Other Striders times were Nick Brown (34.30), Darren Glover (35.22), Tim Hicks (36.46), Neil Jaggard (39.35), Andy Robinson (40.10), Steve Dewick (40.56) and Mike Brighty (43.12).

*The conditions changed dramatically overnight as two Striders travelled to Ropsley, near Grantham, to tackle the Ropsley Raid, a 13.5-mile cross country race.

In a strong, biting wind over endless ploughed fields, thick with mud, Neil Jaggard completed the course in 1hr 55mins, with Wayne Hackett relishing the challenge to come home in 2hr 7mins.

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